Last of Her Kind

Chapter 6 ALORA

Alora could hear Elysor’s quiet sniffles as they walked through the forest. She knew he was crying for Elysia again, but there was nothing she could do to console him. She was afraid to speak to him in front of the hunters in case Elysor slipped up and revealed who and what they were.

The hike back to the city was a long one. Alora watched the sun sink deeper and deeper into the sky. She could only imagine the rage and frustration Rador would be feeling soon when he realized that she and Elysor were not returning tonight. Aleno will be furious to find out that Rador had let her leave in the first place. Alora closed her eyes at the thought. There wasn’t much she could do now.

The group hiked through the forest for hours. As they grew closer to the city lights, Alora caught the scent of something familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it yet. She breathed in deeply, trying to figure it out. The scent grew stronger as they reached the walls of the city.

The group arrived right as the soldiers were preparing to close up for the night. Seeing their hunting uniforms, the soldiers stopped their task and allowed them to pass into the ctiy. As they rode through, the man, Eli, stopped to talk to one of the soldiers.

“Have a team stationed at each gate throughout the night. The general might not return until late, if the team returns tonight at all.”

The soldier he addressed saluted at the command. “Yes sir. But if I may ask, sir, what has the general found that is keeping him out after nightfall?”

Eli looked around at the group that was now listening intently, a twinkle hinted in his eye as he smiled deliciously at their curiosity. “A dragon.

The men began to mutter excitedly amongst themselves as Eli and the other hunter continued to escort Alora and Elysor through the winding streets of the city. “We’re going to take you to stay with my father and sister for the night. They won’t mind the company once they hear the general sent you. You’ll also be able to get whatever supplies you were looking for from Cathryn. She has just about every herb known to man in her stock.” Eli fell quiet and they continued the journey in silence.

Alora couldn’t help but be slightly excited at their predicament. She knew that she and Elysor would need to find a safe way out of the city before these men tried to escort them back to the mountains tomorrow, but she couldn’t help herself as she tried to take in as much of her surroundings as she could. When she was young, her father had taken her with him to Port once. She didn’t realize it at the time, but he had been hoping to score a safe passage for their family to travel west. She and Aleno had been too young to make the flight across the seas, so her father had hoped they could find space on a boat. Alora remembered thinking she couldn’t wait to leave the fishy smell of the crowded, dirty city. That is, until the sun set.

The city had lit up all around her like fireflies. A whole new world unfolded itself from the shadows as open signs jumped from market shops to bars and w***e houses. Wild characters in bright clothing made of feathers and fur stepped out and took over the streets. Confidently walking by as men and women shrunk back into their homes. There was a power to these night people that Alora admired and wished to be a part of. They had no fear of the dark under these city lights. They were the dark. And Alora had wanted to be a part of that ever since.

Alora watched with excitement in her eyes as this city began to emerge from the shadows. The shops were starting to close for the night, Alora was able to catch a glimpse inside one store that sold the most intricate rugs she had ever seen. So many colors of fabric she hadn’t believed possible and rivaled those of the poppy field she had marveled at earlier. But it was down the side alley, behind the rug store, that she saw the red light turn on over the door. A woman emerged wearing nothing but a robe, her breasts glowing under the lamp as she began smoking.

She looked over, saw their group, and waved. “Hey Eli, you got some new friends you gonna bring in tonight?”

Eli waved back, “Not right now Maura. But if you aren’t too busy, I’ll visit later tonight.”

The girl blew him a kiss and shook her t**s as the group continued on.

They turned down the next street, and Alora saw a baker throwing out the bread he hadn’t sold that day. Her mouth watered at the sight of it and she realized how hungry she was. If she was hungry, Elysor must be starved. She hadn’t thought they would be gone this long. Hopefully, this sister they were going to see would be kind enough to feed them while they stayed with her.

It was a few more blocks before the hunters led Alora and Elysor down a small alley. Alora was met with the same scent she had caught in the forest, only this time, it was a lot stronger. Whatever it was, there was a large quantity of it nearby.

Halfway down the alley, Eli turned and knocked on a door. It was answered by a plump, older man with graying hair and beard. The man looked at Eli and the other hunter suspiciously before turning to eye Alora and Elysor.

“What’s this boy?”

“The general requests housing for these travels for the night, father. If you would be so kind as to let us through?”

Eli did not wait for the man he called father to move before he pushed the door open and crossed the threshold into the house. The other hunter motioned for Alora and Elysor to follow in first.

Inside, Alora found they were in a large kitchen and dining area. There were dried herbs and pots hanging all over the walls above the sink and the stove. The dining table was set off to the side and was still covered with remnants of dinner that a young woman, about Alora’s age was beginning to clear off. The woman looked up and Alora was taken aback by her remarkable blue eyes and full rosy lips.

They made eye contact for only a moment before Alora looked away, but not without first noticing how the woman’s body curved under her dress. An odd feeling passed through Alora’s body and she shivered before looking back at Eli who was still in an argument with his father.

“I don’t understand why the general needs us to house them. Any inn would take them for free.”

“I don’t question the general’s orders, and neither should you.” Eli was towering over his father, who refused to step down.

“There is no reason we can’t take them in father,” the girl interrupted. Her voice was as smooth as the honey Alora remembered tasting once as a child, and sweeter. “We have plenty of space, and it’s just for the night.”

The older man sighed and threw up his hands in defeat. “Fine. But I want to be fairly compensated if anything happens.” He poked his son in chest.

“Of course.” Eli, removed his fathers hand and motioned to his companion. He and the other hunter excused themselves and exited back into the alley.

Alora and Elysor stood awkwardly in the doorway as the old man stomped off towards the back of the house.

“Are you hungry?” Cathryn was staring at them both.

Again, Alora shivered at the voice as she felt an odd tingling in her body. Elysor nodded hastily and helped himself to the spread. Alora followed him to the table.

As they were eating, the girl, who Eli had mentioned was named Cathryn, asked them questions about their travels and where they were from. Although Elysor answered most of them, Cathryn never took her eyes off of Alora, not that Elysor took any notice as he filled up on a second helping of meat and potatoes. Alora could feel herself beginning to get warm under the gaze.

Cathryn asked a lot of questions. She also answered most of them it seemed, but once Alora and Elysor had had there fill, she stood up. “I’ll go get your bed ready,” she said before leaving the table. Alora found herself watching Cathryn’s hips sway, as she walked away, and wondered what they looked like under her skirt.

Elysor cleared his throat, bringing Alora’s attention back to the present.

 “How are we going to escape?”